Hollister Chamber discusses growth
By Josh Winborne
jwinborne@tri-lakestribune.com
The Hollister Chamber of Commerce held its monthly luncheon at College of the Ozarks’ Keeter Center Thursday for a roomful of Hollister business owners. The meeting was sponsored by White River Valley Electric Cooperative.
After a delicious meal served by the Keeter Center staff, Dan Lennon, vice-president of marketing and public relations for the Branson Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, stepped to the podium to discuss changes in Mo. tourism bills, namely the FY09, Fiscal Year 2009, Mo.
Division of Tourism Matching Grant Program and the opportunities it presents for area tourism-related businesses.
FY09 proposes to match 50 percent of Division-approved marketing programs, such as television and magazine ads for Qualified Destination Marketing Organizations (DMO’s), such as the Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BLACVB).
Each DMO must be certified with the State of Missouri, but will be funded at levels from $10,000 to $660,000. This money will be used to promote the tourism industry in the Tri-Lakes area, through advertising, public relations, publicity, leisure group and convention sales, publications and special events.
Lennon reported that in 2008 tax revenues totaled $7,500,606, with a marketing budget equaling that sum. The chamber is projecting that 2009 tax revenues will be approximately $8,700,000, marking a significant growth.
FY09 stipulates that only one DMO per county will receive funding and will be appointed by the Taney County Commission and certified by the Mo.
Division of Tourism. In order to qualify for the funding, each DMO accepts additional responsibility for promoting local tourism.
The bill provides new opportunities for tourism businesses by opening access to listings, advertising and promotional lodging prospects. This includes free basic listings on explorebranson.com, as well as 300,000 Branson/Lakes Area Vacation Guides; the chance to advertise on BLACVB website and Vacation Guide and inclusion of events in BLACVB calendar of events and “Day Trip” section, in print and online.
Next to speak was Dino Kartsonakis, owner of Dino’s 24 Karrot Bakery, expressing how happy he is to join the chamber. He said that he is amazed at the growth that is taking place in downtown Hollister and that he is glad to be a part of it.
Kartsonakis also expressed his desire to see the Branson Scenic Railway stop on its way through Hollister.
“We have a beautiful depot that is not being used,” he said.
The idea of the train stopping, and therefore promoting business, was well received by the assembled group. Kartsonakis stated that one of his business associates were in the process of discussing the possibility with Branson Scenic Railway.
“I think this will get done faster and easier if we approach this as a team effort,” he said, encouraging other business owners to get involved in the issue.
Carol Turpin, of Gerken & Associates Realtors, received the honor of being Chamber volunteer of the month. Congratulations and thank you to Turpin for her service.
For additional information on FY09, contact BLACVB at 1-800-BRANSON or visit www.explorebranson.com. For additional information on the Hollister Chamber of Commerce activities, call 417-334-3050 or visit info@hollisterchamber.net.
